Redemption - The journey of a recovering gambling addict.

Lonelygambler

Gambling Update 

- Nearly 6 Months without a gamble. 

- Triggers come and go. I had a bad night a few weeks ago. Didn’t gamble but really wanted to. 

- Wife relationship is better, but still have a long way to go. 

Treatment continues and I should be able to clear a CC in 3 months. 

LG

alt80

On the whole all really positive mate. I’m not sure I’d be worrying about your mortgage until the cards are clear. Appreciate they are currently 0% but it makes sense to get them gone and limit the number of BTs.

mark55man

Holiday sounds brilliant - also sounds like you were a bit of a star in the kitchen

In terms of mortgage overpayments - that is definitely a popular path on here.  My advice would be not to try and do too many things at once and focus on the cards, However if that doesn't appeal then unless you are paying a high mortgage rate you should be able to set up a "mortgage offset" savings account at a better rate to hold the money while you wait until you are certain as to the best route to take. 

Though if you really can't work out which is the best route then doing a little of everything (CC, savings, pension and mortgage) is rarely wrong.

Sarahwithlove

Will the 0% be paid off by end of the period. If not then I'd set up a payment to that so it is and rest to mortgage. Or even an emergency fund. 

OldTimer2023

Sounds like you're doing really well, LG!!!

My recent trip to Europe also nearly wiped me out (RE your earlier Ireland comment).  Holidays are soo much more expensive these days.  It's crazy.

Does your treatment deal with managing triggers etc?  I remember an addict friend of mine telling me that he used the 'HALT' method during his recovery (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired), to identify the most common causes of a relapse.

I sometimes use it when I'm feeling a bit down, as it gives me nice easy prompts to pick myself up (Eat, Exercise, Call Someone, Sleep).

Anyway, really glad to hear things are on the up.  Take care.

Lonelygambler

Thought I would update this journal.

Still no gambling, thankfully I’ve never been interested in betting on football or sports. Too slow IMO, how crazy is that to think. The mind of an addict is bonkers. 

Nearly 6 months without any gambling. 

My triggers are greed / tiredness / boredom. 

So: 

1. Be grateful 
2. Phone off go to bed
3. Read / Run / Podcasts

It’s been an expensive month. Holidays and not working have added up. 

Drove to Ireland and the fuel was heavy! Spent nearly a years worth of EV charging for my MG. 

LG

Lonelygambler

alt80 said:

On the whole all really positive mate. I’m not sure I’d be worrying about your mortgage until the cards are clear. Appreciate they are currently 0% but it makes sense to get them gone and limit the number of BTs.

Thanks mate. 

That’s the advice I needed to hear. 

Lonelygambler

mark55man said:

Holiday sounds brilliant - also sounds like you were a bit of a star in the kitchen

In terms of mortgage overpayments - that is definitely a popular path on here.  My advice would be not to try and do too many things at once and focus on the cards, However if that doesn't appeal then unless you are paying a high mortgage rate you should be able to set up a "mortgage offset" savings account at a better rate to hold the money while you wait until you are certain as to the best route to take. 

Though if you really can't work out which is the best route then doing a little of everything (CC, savings, pension and mortgage) is rarely wrong.

Ha. 

If you are the cook, you get to control what you eat! I am a control freak… 

Thanks for the advice 

Lonelygambler

Sarahwithlove said:

Will the 0% be paid off by end of the period. If not then I'd set up a payment to that so it is and rest to mortgage. Or even an emergency fund. 

thank you 

Lonelygambler

OldTimer2023 said:

Sounds like you're doing really well, LG!!!

My recent trip to Europe also nearly wiped me out (RE your earlier Ireland comment).  Holidays are soo much more expensive these days.  It's crazy.

Does your treatment deal with managing triggers etc?  I remember an addict friend of mine telling me that he used the 'HALT' method during his recovery (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired), to identify the most common causes of a relapse.

I sometimes use it when I'm feeling a bit down, as it gives me nice easy prompts to pick myself up (Eat, Exercise, Call Someone, Sleep).

Anyway, really glad to hear things are on the up.  Take care.

Top man to check in. I have replied above regarding my triggers. My main one is wanting more money! Greed and the inability to save money. 

Things are on the up now…